THE first National Development Plan (NDP) in 1953 was implemented with budget allocation of BND$100 million.

Since then funds allocated have gradually increased from one plan to the next, demonstrating the government’s strong commitment towards ensuring that development in the Sultanate is well on track for a sustainable economic growth and social prosperity.

Theme of 10th National Development Plan

The 10th NDP constitutes the second five year NDP in Brunei’s long-term development plan as laid out in the Outline Strategy and Policy for Development (OSPD) 2007 to 2017.

In line with the OSPD, the 10th NDP carries the theme “Knowledge and Innovation, Enhancing Productivity and Accelerating Economic Growth”.

With this theme, the 10th NDP will focus on efforts towards accelerating the national economic growth.

A higher growth rate would help Brunei gain higher incomes and speed up development. It would also generate many jobs, particula…

A SPINNING top, or gasing as it is known in Brunei, is considered a universal traditional game and played in many parts of the world.

It does not matter the shape or the design of the top, it will have similar characteristics, which is made up of the top or head. The body will be made up of the rest of the top. Local traditional tops are made of wood, and generally played outside by boys.

Some say that the spinning top as a game started as far back as 2,000 years ago, and these records are found in reports in China and India. Even though we will never know who first started playing the game, it was evident that many communities considered the top spinning to be accidentally discovered by children.

According to Nasroul Hizam in a 2010 article on The Brunei Times, it is said that the gasing first came to the Malay archipelago in 450AD by traders from the Middle East.

Delivering a titah during a surprise visit to the Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB) yesterday at the Legislative Council Building in Jalan Kebangsaan, the monarch also ordered the Minister of Religious Affairs and the Attorney General to address the matter immediately, adding that “the country is not playing with this amendment, because this amendment is made in the name of Allah the Almighty and not to look for glamour. Carrying a work in the name of Allah the Almighty must be done with full commitment”.

DURING His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s New Year titah, the monarch described the government’s ongoing Temburong Bridge construction project as one of the most important developments to date and viewed it as a large-scale modernisation of the sultanate.

The bridge, which spans across the waters of Brunei and connects the Brunei-Muara district to Temburong district, will provide greater convenience and potential for tourism.

Looking to play a key role in attracting tourist to the district is the first locally and privately owned Trandie Marina Resorts Sdn Bhd (TMR) located at Batang Duri, just few kilometres from Bangar town.

Catering to eco-tourism and wilderness activities, the resort, which was founded in 1996, is the poster child for tranquility, serenity as well as adventure and ideal for those seeking repose from everyday life.

MORE than 30,000 patriots filled downtown Bandar yesterday as the country celebrated Brunei’s 32nd National Day at Taman Hj Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien (SOAS).

As early as 6am, people from all walks of life slowly streamed into the historic padang – where Brunei was declared an independent nation on January 1, 1984 – as the focal point for nationwide celebrations.

Students lined the streets leading to the capital – some armed with flags, others with the traditional hadrah drum – eagerly anticipating the arrival of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.

The monarch rolled up in his ceremonial black Rolls Royce, accompanied by several members of the royal family, including His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; HRH Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah; HRH Prince Hj Jefri …